Werent Far away

ticker_tape

ticker_tape

Well-known member
Prior to the game I did think we would get well beaten, as it was a strange last 8 games to the season with some very polarised performances.
The Shrewsbury game confirmed we lack concentration but not ability in some departments, yesterday I was pleased with some aspects and feel we are not a kick in the pants off.

I now genuinely think Warnock will get this lot rolling, tough start with 2 hard games to begin wih Watford Bournemouth
There now seems a better spirit about them.... The results will come.

Watford ground it out and sat behind the ball,nothing dropped for us at times but I was disappointed with the result not dispiriting with the team display.

Pinched Subs 171 template sorry



Match ratings


Subbuteo_171
Well-known member
New Betonelli Glad he chucked him straight in 6 not much to do
Spence - 5.5 Dithered to much on the balk needs to talk to the forwards in training what they want from him
Dijksteel - 7 improving every game under NW
Hall - 6 costly error in the end distribution needs to improve too, new boy give him chance
McNair - 6 defended well spot on Subs
Johnson 6 under orders by the looks not to leave space
Howson - 6 Won some ball and grafted, tired at times
Saville - 5 Looked tired from his travels
Tavernier - 6 Watford worked hard on him
Assombalonga - 6 couldnt link up effectively
Fletcher - 5.5 involved first half, disappeared second half

Wing on to late to rate.

I will use this as my own personal sticky.
 
My fear that Bournemouth would pass us off the pitch and give us a football lesson evaporated after about 15 minutes, the Boro really worked hard, more often than not won the second ball, although cautious at times we grew into the game.
A sickener when Bournemouth went one up with a good finish, Betty beaten at the near post again( his only mistake imho)..

We started well but it would have been unkind if we didn't get the equaliser in the end.
Great to be back, fantastic AP type of atmosphere when a single shout from some one in the crowd left the away team ducking for cover. Those that were there threw away any embarrassment or inhibitions despite being isolated by giving a poor Ref an ear bashing during the second half.

Glad to get a point chalked up and I think we are looking better and a little more convincing with some good team work and spirit.
Betonelli two class saves he looked the part 7.5
Spence - 6.5 played well but again dithered when he should have chucked it in, needs to practice crossing the ball
Dijksteel - 8 improving every game under NW Strong as an OX
Hall a couple of times looked slow 6

McNair - Looked good 7
Johnson 6 Poor crosses let him down
Howson - 8 One of his better games tireless
Saville - Best game for a long time 7.5
Tavernier - 7 kept going, to many touches at times
Assombalonga 7.5 another that's getting there, showed some strength when needed

Fletcher - Off the pace at times 5.5

Browne 7 busied himself as soon as he came on, good finish well taken.
 
Last edited:
Nice home win, great spell in first 10 minutes of the 2nd half, but to much into canter mode last 20 or so.
Betty 7
Dijksteel - 8
Fry 8
Modest 6.5
McNair - 8.5
Howson - 6.5 took his goal well
Saville - 6.5 Steady
Tavernier - 7 two shots caused 2 spills
Assombalonga - 6
Akpom 7 missed a sitter but good follow up strikers goal
Bola 6
 
Another point and fair result. They had a couple of handy players and two big physical CBs who went in early. I did think Bri t a bit shy but maybe Warnock knew all to well what might happen.

There does seem a bit of respect from teams toward us, still think we need the CM who can play a bit.
Not unhappy with just a point.



Betty 7 Nothing much to do sometimes punted it where there wasn't a red shirt!
Dijksteel - 8
Fry 8
Morsy 6.5
McNair - 8.5
Howson - 7
Saville - 6.5 tackled and passed the ball in his asre to many times ...tired
Tavernier - 7 decent spells
Assombalonga - 6 Looked a bit scared of the CBs
Akpom 7 .lots of effort so can't complain
Bola 7 looking for a reason to give him grief, couldn't find one again .
 
ticker_tape said:
Another point and fair result. They had a couple of handy players and two big physical CBs who went in early. I did think Bri t a bit shy but maybe Warnock knew all to well what might happen.

There does seem a bit of respect from teams toward us, still think we need the CM who can play a bit.
Not unhappy with just a point.



Betty 7 Nothing much to do sometimes punted it where there wasn't a red shirt!
Dijksteel - 8
Fry 8
Morsy 6.5
McNair - 8.5
Howson - 7
Saville - 6.5 tackled and passed the ball in his asre to many times ...tired
Tavernier - 7 decent spells
Assombalonga - 6 Looked a bit scared of the CBs
Akpom 7 .lots of effort so can't complain
Bola 7 looking for a reason to give him grief, couldn't find one again .
Click to expand...

Morsy was better that Saville. I would give Saville a 5.5 and Morsy a 7
 
Don’t think Tav was involved much at all either and certianly wasn’t a 7 but rest are there or there abouts
 
Tav gets a bit of attention these days, Morsi kept his feet but seemed slow moving the ball on. Thought Reading lad did well to block his shot.
 
Wasnt a classic and scrappy at times but so far I havent seen anything to worry about, perhaps just the strength in dept over the season. Thought we deserved a point and we have a few experience players who will grow in confidence now.
Not getting carried away but weve handlesd a tough start with good pro man-management.

Betty 7.5 Another clean sheet
Spence 7.5 Thought he did well his form will improve as games go by.
Dijksteel - 7.5 Becoming an integral part of the team very dependable
Fry 7,5 showing good form and keeping the boo boys away really glad for him.
Morsy 7,5 tidy and always busy
McNair - 7.5 thats his position and impressive with it
Howson - 7.5 consistency
Saville - 8 Grafted in a scrappy affair at times did well with his goal to take top marks.
Roberts will get better with fitness- 7.5
Johnson kept his concentration 7.5
Akpom 7.5 should have done better with one of the chance but worked hard
 
Im wondering if Warnock wants that at times?

Dont play the ball into plenty of bodies when we need a breather, and let them break their shape and start again.
Could be me over thinking this but sometimes coaches do want the opposition to play out of areas they hadn't planned for. It keeps it scrappy and heads lower.
 
Another good result, its good that he is resting some with 2 fixtures in the week. The bonus is players who we thought may not be capable are stepping in and doing well. We know how to stifle the opposition under Warnock, its not always pretty but its not dull. I give them all 7 , except Tav and Betty 7.5 with Savilles goal and 4 points gained in 2 tough fixtures getting him 8.
 
Morsy didn't compete. He was far too slow and outmuscled in a physical game. Howson was streets ahead of him again.
 
Another good result against a team that sat deep, again not pretty but we kept it going and for once expected to win at home.
Not pretty and sometimes difficult to watch but hats off to keep focused during these tiring two games a week. Doesn't matter if it's 8 mins or 81 a good forward keeps his concentration and composed finish from Britt. What a ball from Morsey though, he was my stand out played over the game.
A fantastic ball from Browne and I loved how Spence lifted it over the on rushing keeper good finish which will lift his confidence.
Making good progress did enough to keep things right for Saturday.
All 7 .5 for me another team effort.
 
V Forest
Boro showing good form meet a team with a good squad and a manager in charge most have big respect for. A good a test as we would get imho.
Did I doubt us ? , yes, weren't the wheels due off come off. I looked at the line up. no Fry, Bola in, little doover playing on the left. if there was a time it was going to happen against a team who`s players we would have swapped with no bother a few months ago. it was this one.

Once again we worked hard as a team. NW has players stepping into the side and showing no weakness, looking after one another, knowing their job. One thing I did notice Morsey must have now learnt not to get to involved with stupidity,NW acted early and sorted it .
Very tough November but team spirit is such a strong foundation for us now.

Rolling along nicely.

Betty 8 Not troubled much
Dijksteel - 8 another strong steady performance
Wood 8 shows he can now step up he has the minerals
Modesy 5 Poor game, gave the ball away cheaply, booked, lost his discipline.
McNair - 8. Foundation of the defence
Howson - 8 Dynamo in the side
Saville -8 Great ball in for the winner and is in great form.
Tavernier - 8 has pace wants the ball and causes the opposition concern
Assombalonga - 7 missed a good chance but not the end of the world.
Coulson. must have caused them worry with his pace, almost scored a great goal linked up well with Bola.
Bola 8 kept his concentration confident and playing well.

Johnson, 8 fantastic goal took it really well
 
Last edited:
Didnt really merit a win and an awful game to watch the first half was just hoof ball absolute garbage.

Up to now Im not sure if he did make double contact with the ball?, but it didnt seem a penalty to me either.

Slow and deliberate 2nd half from us, we didn't seem to be really interested in winning the game.
Norwich looking the more likely to score once Pukki came on.
We decided we wanted to get in their penalty area in the last 5 or 6 minutes, we werent fired up at all today.

Decent games from Howson, with Fry stopping a few half chances they had and Djksteel had a decent game.all 6 the rest on 5.

Good run comes to an end.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top